|| {𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑩𝒖𝒔 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅} || • {𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂} •

(𝐒𝟏) | 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐𝟓

In the deserted hallway, tension crackled in the air as Barron towered over Logan, his fists clenched and menace etched into every line of his face. Logan, smaller and cornered against the lockers, looked up with wide eyes, fear palpable in his trembling form. My fists tightened at my sides, a surge of protectiveness welling up inside me.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward, positioning myself between them. Barron's gaze turned from Logan to me, a sneer curling his lips. He squared his shoulders, taunting me with a challenge in his eyes. My jaw tightened, jaw set in determination as I stood my ground.

The first punch came fast and fierce, Barron aiming for my face. Instinct kicked in, and I ducked, feeling the whoosh of air as his fist narrowly missed. I countered with a swift jab to his midsection, forcing him to stagger back. Adrenaline fueled my movements as we circled each other, fists raised.

Barron lunged again, swinging wildly. I dodged and countered with a precise uppercut that landed squarely on his jaw. He grunted in pain, but the blow only seemed to stoke his anger further. He came at me with renewed vigor, but I was ready, blocking his punches and retaliating with strikes of my own.

The fight was brutal and intense, each blow echoing off the empty walls. We exchanged punches, kicks, and grapples, the sound of our labored breaths mixing with the occasional grunt of pain. Blood trickled from a split lip, but I pushed through the ache, fueled by the need to protect Logan and stand up to Barron's bullying once and for all.

Eventually, Barron's aggression waned, his movements slowing as fatigue set in. I seized the opportunity, delivering a final, decisive blow that sent him crashing to the floor. He lay there, panting heavily, defeated. I stood over him, chest heaving with exertion but victorious in defense of my cousin.

The hallway was silent now, the tension dissipated. Barron's friends, who had been watching in shock, rushed over to help him up, casting wary glances at me. I turned to Logan, who was still against the lockers, his eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude. I offered him a reassuring smile before a sharp pain shot through my side, reminding me of the physical toll of the fight.

Soon, teachers arrived, breaking up the aftermath. Barron was led away, and I was escorted to the nurse's office to tend to my injuries. As I walked away, I knew that while the fight had been necessary, it had also marked a turning point—one where I had stood up not just for myself, but for those who couldn't speak up for themselves.

Logan was kind and sweet, so innocent, but he couldn't just stand up for himself. 

So I missed the half of the day in school. 

But it was worth it!